Abstract:
Apparatus and a method for monitoring various conditions of a vehicle structure including an optical sensor comprising an optical fiber bearing a photonic crystal mounted to one end, an interrogation system including an optical signal generator interfacing with one or more of the optical sensors located remotely from the interrogation module, and a method of monitoring the vehicle structural health using the interrogation system.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are embodiments of sensor devices comprising a sensing component able to determine the presence of, detect, and/or quantify detectable species in a variety of environments and applications. The sensing components disclosed herein can comprise MOF materials, plasmonic nanomaterials, or combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, light guides can be coupled with the sensing components described herein to provide sensor devices capable of increased NIR detection sensitivity in determining the presence of detectable species, such as gases and volatile organic compounds. In another exemplary embodiment, optical properties of the plasmonic nanomaterials combined with MOF materials can be monitored directly to detect analyte species through their impact on external conditions surrounding the particle or as a result of charge transfer to and from the plasmonic material as a result of interactions with the plasmonic material and/or the MOF material.
Abstract:
A nanoscale structure fabricated on a planar end facet of an optic fiber is described, to enable detection of molecules by surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The nanoscale structure may comprise an array of nanopillars. The nanoscale structure may also comprise a non periodic, or random, surface-relief structure. The nanoscale structure may be coated in a metal, comprising, for example, silver, gold, aluminum, iridium, platinum, palladium, copper, or a combination of the same. The nanoscale structure may be fabricated on a planar end facet of an optical fiber by interference lithography.
Abstract:
A method and device for monitoring oil field operations with a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) that uses a continuous wave laser light source and modulates the continuous wave output of the laser light source with pseudo-random binary sequence codes.
Abstract:
An invention for making productive uses of normally undesirable whiskers is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a variety of apparatuses and methods associated with forming and using whiskers as well as forming whisker compounds is disclosed. For example, whisker detection modules can be created which provide a whisker surveillance capability. The whisker detection modules can further be coupled with a whisker response system such as an alarm or insulating material dispersing system. Another aspect of the invention is providing a variety of environments or microenvironments with regard to a whisker forming structure to affect whisker creation such as maximizing whisker formation. Another example includes provision of a variety of embodiments for manufacturing compounds of whiskers of various metal and metal alloys, including structures and methods is provided. Whisker compounds produced using various embodiments of the invention can be used for various applications.
Abstract:
Methods and an optical interrogation system for monitoring structural health of a structure are provided. The method includes generating an optical signal using an optical signal generator, and directing the optical signal towards at least one optical sensor located remotely from the optical signal generator. The optical sensor includes a photonic crystal wafer optically interacting with the optical signal and an environmental condition. The method also includes capturing, by an optical signal receiving apparatus, a reflected optical signal reflected from the at least one optical sensor, and analyzing the reflected optical signal to determine a change in the environmental condition.
Abstract:
An invention for making productive uses of normally undesirable whiskers is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a variety of apparatuses and methods associated with forming and using whiskers as well as forming whisker compounds is disclosed. For example, whisker detection modules can be created which provide a whisker surveillance capability. The whisker detection modules can further be coupled with a whisker response system such as an alarm or insulating material dispersing system. Another aspect of the invention is providing a variety of environments or microenvironments with regard to a whisker forming structure to affect whisker creation such as maximizing whisker formation. Another example includes provision of a variety of embodiments for manufacturing compounds of whiskers of various metal and metal alloys, including structures and methods is provided. Whisker compounds produced using various embodiments of the invention can be used for various applications.
Abstract:
There are provided an SPR sensor cell and sensor, both having very excellent detection sensitivity. The SPR sensor cell includes: an under-cladding layer; a core layer, at least a part of the core layer being adjacent to the under-cladding layer; and a metal layer covering the core layer. The core layer includes a uniform layer and a gradient layer arranged between the uniform layer and the under-cladding layer; a refractive index NCO of the uniform layer satisfies a relationship of 1.34≦NCO
Abstract:
An apparatus (100) comprises at least one optical cable (104), a detector (106) and a processing unit (108). An end of an optical cable (104) is placed inside the electric arc furnace (10) for collecting light from the furnace (10). The optical cable (104) conveys the light to the detector (106). The detector (106) separates the light into a plurality of optical bands of the spectrum and transforms strengths of the plurality of optical bands into electrical data. The processing unit (108) measures, for determining a state of the furnace (10), a background of the optical bands in a predetermined manner, at least one characteristic strength level of the optical bands and an average deviation of the strengths of the optical bands from the background on the basis of the electrical data.
Abstract:
A reflective element for directing an optical signal into a fiber optic sensor having an optical fiber includes a plane containing a sharply defined straight line that separates between a first area of low reflectivity and a second area of high reflectivity. The plane is disposed parallel to a free end surface of the optical fiber so that the free end surface intersects the line of the reflective element, whereby relative movement between the free end surface of the optical fiber and the line in response to a physical change sensed by the fiber optic sensor induces variations in an optical signal reflected by the reflective element through the optical fiber, which variations allow measurement of the physical change.